Most people don’t realize the logistical consequences should they become non communicative. A real-world example was when one of our clients was diagnosed bipolar and would experience “episodes” where she was not mentally present. Another, was a client who was in a car accident with a lengthy recovery in which he was sedated for long periods of time. Both of these were not a permanent condition, but one in which they needed another person to act in their behalf. Even though both were married, their spouse was not legally able to make decisions for them without the presence of an executed power of attorney document.
What does a Power of Attorney actually do?
A power of attorney (POA) allows someone to effect financial transactions and make other decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so, without having to seek formal judicial approval. Having a POA in place:
- Helps you avoid the need for guardianship
- Allows you to choose who will act in your interests in the event you cannot do so
- Allows you to develop a plan based on your personal goals and concerns
How to put it in place-
For our clients, we typically interview several specialized attorneys in their local area and oversee the process. The end result is the legal document (POA) which you keep a copy. The process can take as little as several weeks to complete, and once it’s done and documented with your local county, the POA is in place for good (or until it is revoked by you).
If you have any particular questions or would like to discuss this in more detail, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help. We can walk you through the process and support you along the way.
Frank